Des Moines Water Works customers must report visible water main breaks, hydrant damage, and curb-stop leaks promptly; DMWW dispatches emergency crews 24/7, and customer-side leaks beyond the meter remain the property owner responsibility.
DMWW operates a 24-hour dispatch line for water main breaks, hydrant gushers, and other leaks within the public right-of-way. Customers can call 515-283-8769 to report. Once past the curb stop and meter, leaks become the property owner responsibility, including service line repairs that can cost thousands. DMWW offers high-usage alerts on monthly bills and online portal tools. Continuous-flow billing adjustments may be available for one-time underground leaks if the customer documents prompt repair within the utility billing adjustment policy.
Failure to repair customer-side leaks can trigger service termination notice; tampering with hydrants is a criminal misdemeanor under Iowa law.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines does not have a standalone tenant anti-harassment ordinance. Tenant protections come from Iowa Code 562A.36 retaliation rules and federal Fair Hou...
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines allows ADUs in its neighborhood districts under Municipal Code Chapter 134, with building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits through De...
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines Chapter 134 historically required the owner to live in either the main house or the ADU, backed by a recorded affidavit. Since July 1, 2025, Iowa ...
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines has no city ordinance restricting lawn ornaments on residential property. Chapter 60 (Housing) requires reasonable property maintenance and could ...
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines has no city ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. Chapter 48 (Noise) standards could theoretically apply to overnight blow...
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines has no municipal ordinance regulating residential holiday lights. Display timing, brightness, and animation are governed primarily by HOA and cond...
See how Des Moines's leak reporting duty rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.